₦airaland Forum

Chinese firms to operate Warri, Port Harcourt refineries — NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms for the restart, operation and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.

In a statement on Monday, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odey, said the agreement was signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.

He said the deal is expected to pave the way for a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) aimed at completing ongoing rehabilitation works and ensuring efficient operations of the refineries.

The MoU was executed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, by NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside the Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and Chairman of Xingcheng Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Chinese partners will support the completion of outstanding rehabilitation work at both facilities and take part in their operation and maintenance to achieve sustainable performance.

The partnership will also explore the expansion and upgrade of the refineries to meet cleaner fuel standards, improve profitability and boost petrochemical production capacity. It is further expected to support the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the facilities.

Speaking after the signing, Ojulari described the agreement as a major milestone following months of negotiations.

“All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainability of NNPC’s refining assets,” he said.

He added that the MoU represents a key step toward securing technical partners for the rehabilitation and expansion of the country’s refineries, while also unlocking opportunities in petrochemicals and gas-based industries.

Ojulari, however, noted that the agreement is non-binding and subject to regulatory approvals and further negotiations.

The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company was approved in 2021 at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, with contracts awarded to Italy’s Saipem and other partners to restore its capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.

Similarly, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company is undergoing rehabilitation under a contract valued at about $897 million, aimed at reviving its 125,000 barrels per day capacity and integrating petrochemical production.

Both projects form part of NNPC’s broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

The Port Harcourt refinery had briefly resumed operations in late 2024 after years of inactivity but was later shut down due to operational and financial challenges.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/05/chinese-firms-to-operate-warri-port-harcourt-refineries-nnpc/

I've been reading a strange caption which I think I have to accept in recent times. If they analyse Nigerian problem to you and you understand it, you have a bigger problem. Have you not seen that the national assembly smartly avoid everything that has to do with the NNPC and Nigerian black gold. The simple reason is that it is feeding some foreign countries and some powers that be. You cannot probe the system without getting injured. Even Sowore Sahara Reporters have their boundaries.

Where is atiku mentioned in the article

Short video about China: https://youtube.com/shorts/sQXZflxYRW4?si=lRcV-R2gICNfJkAa

Na to dey kidnap the Chinese Nationals one by one be that. FG don give food to Niger Delta Militants ooooooo.

When will this open fraud end

Oisagbai78:
Na to dey kidnap the Chinese Nationals one by one be that. FG don give food to Niger Delta Militants ooooooo.

If they arrest you now, you will be shouting freedom of speech. Shouldn't you be asked to explain this incitement to violence?

That means Kaduna refinery is totally gone

Dreal1247:
I've been reading a strange caption which I think I have to accept in recent times. If they analyse Nigerian problem to you and you understand it, you have a bigger problem. Have you not seen that the national assembly smartly avoid everything that has to do with the NNPC and Nigerian black gold. The simple reason is that it is feeding some foreign countries and some powers that be. You cannot probe the system without getting injured. Even Sowore Sahara Reporters have their boundaries.

Our Independence is a hoax.

Naija my country!
Good morning to my country!

Buhari government stole trillions in the name of rehabilitation of refinery. Now is you peoples turn. One day the prey will hunt the predator. I come in peace

oweniwe:
That means Kaduna refinery is totally gone

You don't need a refinery there. Rehabilitate the web of pipelines running round the country and you can move products anywhere. But if you distrust Nigerians with their penchant for puncturing them and stealing products, build a rail network to serve all the state capitals with spurs to the refineries.

Let Kaduna focus on the energy resources it has and how it can exploit them to profit the economy. There is life beyond oil and gas and even the Arabs are slowly moving away from it.

Dreal1247:
I've been reading a strange caption which I think I have to accept in recent times. If they analyse Nigerian problem to you and you understand it, you have a bigger problem. Have you not seen that the national assembly smartly avoid everything that has to do with the NNPC and Nigerian black gold. The simple reason is that it is feeding some foreign countries and some powers that be. You cannot probe the system without getting injured. Even Sowore Sahara Reporters have their boundaries.

Nigeria petrol market is feeding many people outside the country , the more you import the more you sustain foreign economy, same thing to textile industry, same to gadgets and electronics , if Nigeria become self reliant today, their will be job cut in some country, we are merely a huge market to many countries, they just ship here, including their dustbin or used clothes , we need sound minded people in government

Give them electricity too, since we can't manage anything on our own.
Co corruption everywhere

Chia, let's just return Nigeria to the British.

Better, it should be given to private companies with capacity to restore it to working conditions.
Government expenditure on the refineries is seen as largesse to be looted by those in position.

This is what we have been saying...let one of our own refinery state work....the petrol price will reduce
Mr dangote will be forced to export his products at international market rate...
And price of crude oil products to local market will be controlled by the government...

The problem now is watch how they will try to sabotage the effort of those Chinese...

Time to waste some billions of dollars of our commonwealth again

Reference:
You don't need a refinery there. Rehabilitate the web of pipelines running round the country and you can move products anywhere. But if you distrust Nigerians with their penchant for puncturing them and stealing products, build a rail network to serve all the state capitals with spurs to the refineries.

Let Kaduna focus on the energy resources it has and how it can exploit them to profit the economy. There is life beyond oil and gas and even the Arabs are slowly moving away from it.

I'm just wondering who go build refinery for kaduna. It totally doesn't make any sense when there was no oil field anywhere in the north at the time

Lifestone:
If they arrest you now, you will be shouting freedom of speech. Shouldn't you be asked to explain this incitement to violence?

Like MC Oluomo was arrested and questioned to explain his incitement to violence and actual carrying out of violence during the Presidential elections against the Igbo's in Lagos abi??
Am not supporting his statement or incitement but I need u to think properly as a grown up adult using ur brain and not thinking through ur anus...

I cum in peace!!!

Will the government in the South west allow the Eastern ports to operate?

How about bringing the Israelis or Americans to lead our campaign against terrorism. When it comes to the security of lives and property the govt will say Nigeria is a sovereign state , she can take care of herself . However, when it comes to mortgaging our future thru endless loans and very unfriendly contract agreements that only favours the Chinese and the west, the govt signs off on it.
It is time to inbed foreign experts in our security architecture if we must secure this country.

oweniwe:
That means Kaduna refinery is totally gone

..it's a gradual process


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This is good if the Chinese firm is to operate and maintain the refineries

We are so dumb and empty that all we know is corruption, stealing , tribalism, enjoyment, hate and greed, we can’t manage or make anything work, we are not called Blackman for nothing, china Abegi una welcome…

Obasanjo in the mud again

Spidermon:
Our Independence is a hoax.

It doesn't take away your independence.
If you know that you cannot handle something,give it to somebody that can while you monitor and study how he does it.
Na I too know dey kill dog wey wan suck lion breast whether he sweet pass him mama own.
If you are not very intelligent and possess raw wisdom,you cannot rule Nigeria progressively.
Do you know how many Indians work for Dangote?
He get why.
If only Ajaokuta too can get the same treatment.
Corruption don blind Nigerians.

It is finished.
APC have finally mortgage Nigeria to China.
So this rumor I have been hearing for the last 5 years have really come to pass.
They even say soon China will also control our sea port's and Airports.
God will never forgive useless APC

China should also take over electricity sector.
Israel should handle security.
China should handle roads
UK should handle health care
China should handle waste disposal